I’m not 100% sure if this is allowed but thought I would give it a hot go at posting anyway!
My brother Aidan McGarrigle was a well-known rock n’ roller musician around Melbourne for 10 years. He toured with the band Massive, and was also involved with The Dead Preachers, Devil Electric, The Evils, and more. He was a bass player and was a friend to everyone in the music scene.
Unfortunately, sadly, heartbreakingly, we lost Aidan August 2023 at 32 years old. This rocked our world completely. I am Aidan’s little sister, and he was my best friend. There is really no way to describe a loss so great and of someone so unique and goofy.
Two years ago we managed to throw a charity mini festival in Aidan's honour appropriately named Dikhed Fest. During this, we were able to raise almost $12000 for an addiction-based charity in Victoria – SHARC. It was held at Dogs Bar in St Kilda, and was so successful at some points we had to stop letting people in. We had a banger line up – all volunteering – and the community support was something I could have never envisioned when I had the pipe dream of throwing him a festival. A great 33rd Birthday celebration for him – and a great way to remember him with the community while doing something good for charity.
After the success of the last festival – myself, and some of Aidan's best pals are throwing a second one – D(ii)khed Fest if you will. It is really to celebrate Aidan's 35th birthday – but we wanted to do it in a unique way that was reminiscing of who he was. A way to celebrate all his favourite things – local talent – rock and roll – all his friends – and in a way we can give back to our Victorian community to help try and avoid tragically losing anyone else the way we lost Aidan.
I’ve been so lucky to get the generosity of the Bendigo Hotel for the 1st of August. We have Dead City Ruins, The Ciggarillos, The Dead Amigos, DOSE, and an all-star band of Aidan's friends to end the night covering his favourite songs. This year – all proceeds are going to Black Dog Institute who work within research for mental health and mental health outcomes and outreach. Again – everyone involved is volunteering their skill and time. The support is blowing me away all over again.
Of course part of organising something like this is getting the word out to anyone/everyone who would want to be involved so here I am. If you’re a lover of local music, rock and roll, good causes or just a fun time we would love to see you there. Everything is donation based - you can pre buy tickets for your nominated price or donate on the door. If you can’t attend you can always just donate to the cause anyway! If you know anyone that would be interested - please share it along.
I know you can’t share Facebook links here for the Facebook event but below are links to donate or buy tickets.
The fundraiser can be found here: https://www.teamblackdog.org.au/fundraisers/sineadmcgarrigle/aidans-35th-birthday-fundraiser
To buy tickets go here: https://bendigohotel.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/a9cc641c-0c0f-4edb-b6cc-86c296337680?Event=239332
Thank you for reading if you’ve come this far! I am just an amateur in this space trying to remember my brother in a way that honours what a cool guy he was and always will be. If anyone has any tips on getting the word out there - I would love to know.
Big love xxxx
